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Mitchell: Gordie Howe, the hometown boy, finds his resting place in Saskatoon

Author of the article:

Kevin Mitchell • Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Publishing date:

September 26, 2016 • 4 minute read

SASKATOON, SK - September 25, 2016 - Dr. Murray Howe and Cathy Howe look at a showcase of their father Gordie Howe at King George School, where Howe attended as a child in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016. (Michelle Berg / The StarPhoenix)Michelle Berg/ Saskatoon StarPhoenix

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Their ashes are forever mingled, set into the base of the Saskatoon statue that bears his likeness, in the city that gave him life and built him into a man.

“Whenever he talked about wanting to go home,” daughter Cathy said Sunday, “especially when things got really confusing for him … I would often ask him ‘where’s home?’ He would look at me and say ‘Saskatoon,’ like I should know.”

As dementia set in, as death lingered in the foreground, Howe remained sure and steadfast about where he wanted to rest when the time came.

The statue, he said. Saskatoon.

So the family — 61 of them altogether, both immediate and extended — staged an interment service Sunday morning outside SaskTel Centre, the city’s hockey arena. It’s where Howe’s statue skates in perpetual fashion, elbow upraised, and it’s now where he and Colleen are available for visitation.

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“His childhood here, he would say it was the best childhood anybody could ever have,” Murray Howe told the gathering as Gordie and Colleen’s ashes waited to be placed in their spot.

One of Gordie’s requests, he added, was “to make sure I was all the way dead” before sending him on his way.

Later that morning, family members journeyed to the bridge that bears his name, and the school he attended, and the house he lived in for three years from age 12 to 15.

You can see King George School from that house, and when Howe got nostalgic, he’d tell family members that he was the only kid in the school who could kick a soccer ball to the top of the old, turreted building. On Sunday, the family retraced the steps he would have taken, from the school door to his nearby home in Saskatoon’s inner-city.

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As the procession moved toward that house Sunday, neighbours peered through windows or stood on front lawns, watching with interest.

Dolores McCartney sat on her front porch. She’s lived across the street from Howe’s old home since the mid 1970s, and she’s proud of it.

They should rename the street — now Ave. L South — Gordie Howe Street, she says. She met the hockey great a few different times. She points to where the great man once stood, on her lawn.

The neighbourhood, both Dolores and son Deon say, is richer for its Howe connection.

She shows some Howe photos that have pride-of-place in her cellphone; there’s a visiting Gordie Howe, and Deon, in front of their house. Howe’s hands are wrapped playfully around Deon’s neck, tempting a two-minute penalty, if only an official had been nearby.

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Deon stands beside Dolores, watching the movement of family members and media. In his hands are a Howe autograph, and another photo of him with Howe, from a different visit.

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“I tell people Gordie Howe used to live there, and they’re ‘yeah right,’ Deon says. “But facts are facts.

“He gave you a good feeling when you met him, and it lasts a lifetime. When I think about meeting him … just remembering it brings joy to me.”

Patton MacLean owns that home across the street, the place where Howe’s bones and muscles changed from boy to man, and he’s delved into the player’s housing history. Howe lived in six different Saskatoon houses, he says, and this was the last one before he left home to pursue a hockey career for real.

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The house needs work. It’s an ongoing project, and MacLean hopes to have it declared a heritage building. He sees people drive by and slow down. Sometimes, they stop their cars and take pictures. MacLean is glad they do, because he appreciates this house and its place in Gordie Howe’s story.

“I think about him every day while I’m there,” MacLean says. “It’s hard not to think about him, living in that house.”

After touring the home, the Howe family returns to SaskTel Centre, where the Saskatoon Blades and Swift Current Broncos prepare for a Western Hockey League clash. They hold a pre-game ceremony in Howe’s honour. Outside, fans mingle around the statue, phones flashing. They embrace his bronzed likeness, squeeze in tight, entire families recording this moment.

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Somebody leaves a puck in front of the statue — “So you may play hockey in heaven,” reads the gold lettering.

Then the game ends, the place empties, and things get quiet.

The Howes are heading back to their lives.

“It was a very, very difficult summer for me,” says Gordie and Colleen’s son, Mark Howe, who is the Detroit Red Wings’ director of pro scouting. “I’m normally a very bubbly person, really look forward to every day … but it was tough. A tough summer.

“But I’ve gotten back to work with hockey starting up again, and coming here today, so the healing process is starting to happen, which I’m very grateful for. But you’re going to miss him. You’re going to miss him every day. I turn on my computer, and I’ve got a picture of dad standing in the back of my boat. When I’m home, I’ve got a big portrait of him hanging in my house.

Sixty-one members of Gordie Howe's family made the trip to Saskatoon this weekend to bear witness as the ashes of Gordie and his wife Colleen are interred at Howe's statue at SaskTel Centre on September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's extended family look at the bridge that was named after him in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Sixty-one members of Gordie Howe's family made the trip to Saskatoon this weekend to bear witness as the ashes of Gordie and his wife Colleen are interred at Howe's statue at SaskTel Centre on September 25, 2016.

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Sixty-one members of Gordie Howe's family made the trip to Saskatoon this weekend to bear witness as the ashes of Gordie and his wife Colleen are interred at Howe's statue at SaskTel Centre on September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's family poses for a photo in King George school, where he attended school in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Sixty-one members of Gordie Howe's family made the trip to Saskatoon this weekend to bear witness as the ashes of Gordie and his wife Colleen are interred at Howe's statue at SaskTel Centre on September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's sister Viola Watson gets a smile out of a photo of Howe as a child in King George school, where he attended school in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Saskatoon Funeral Home director Bill Edwards, left, helps, Cathy Howe, daughter of Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe, places his ashes before they are interned to the base of a statue of him, as her brothers Marty, Mark, and Murray look on during a memorial service outside Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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SASKATOON, SK - September 25, 2016 - Photos of Gordie Howe on display in King George school, where he attended school in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016. (Michelle Berg / The StarPhoenix)

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Members of Gordie Howe's family, wearing his jersey, stand for a photograph near the newly named Gordie Howe Bridge in Saskatoon, September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's sister Viola Watson and daughter Cathy Howe hold up a childhood photo of him in King George school, where he attended school as a child in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's daughter Cathy Howe and his sisters hold up a childhood photo of him in King George school, where he attended school as a child in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Marty Howe, son of Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe, left to right, his sister Cathy Howe, and brothers Mark, and Murray hug following the internment of Gordie Howe's remains at the base of a statue of him during a memorial service outside Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon,Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Cathy Howe, daughter of of Gordie Howe (L) and Gordie Howe's sister Helen Howe look over a display highlighting Gordie Howe at King George School, the elementary school Howe attended, in Saskatoon, September 25, 2016.

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Mark Howe, son of Mr. Hockey Gordie shares a joke with members of his extended family following the internment of Gordie Howe's remains at the base of a statue of him during a memorial service outside Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Saskatoon Funeral Home director Bill Edwards, right, directs, Cathy Howe, daughter of Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe, her brothers Marty, Mark, and Murray place a plaque at the base of a Statue of Gordie Howe, where his remains where interned during a memorial service outside Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's family members look at a photo of Gordie Howe as a child in King George school, where he attended school in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Marty Howe, son of Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe, right, hugs his aunt Helen Howe prior to the internment of Gordie Howe's remains at the base of a statue of him during a memorial service outside Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Photos of Gordie Howe on display in King George school, where he attended school in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

Saskatoon Funeral Home director Bill Edwards, left, helps, Cathy Howe, daughter of Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe, places his ashes before they are interned to the base of a statue of him, as her brothers Marty, Mark, and Murray look on during a memorial service outside Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Members of Gordie Howe's family stand for a photograph following the internment of Gordie Howe's remains at the base of a statue of him during a memorial service outside Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

Marty Howe, son of Gordie Howe, left, and his sister Cathy Howe look over a display highlighting Gordie Howe at King George School, the elementary school Howe attended, in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's sister Viola Watson gives Marty Howe a hug before the ashes of Gordie and his wife Colleen are interred at Howe's statue at SaskTel Centre on September 25, 2016.

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Members of Gordie Howe's family look over a display highlighting Gordie Howe at King George School, the elementary school Howe attended, in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Patton McLean invites Gordie Howe's family into his home, which was one of Gordie Howe's childhood homes in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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A sign outside of King George School, the elementary school Howe attended, in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016.

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Mark Howe waves to the crowd during the pre-game ceremony at SaskTel Centre during Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Gordie Howe's children pose for the puck drop during the pre-game ceremony at SaskTel Centre during Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Bryan Trottier, a retired NHL player, speaks as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains where interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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Saskatoon Blades defencemen Jantzen Leslie is introduced, wearing a commemorative Gordie Howe jersey as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at SaskTel Centre, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains were interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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Gordie Howe's son Murray Howe speaks as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains where interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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L-R: Retired NHL player Bryan Trottier shakes hands with Gordie Howe's daughter Cathy Howe and his son Murray Howe during a Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at SaskTel Centre, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains were interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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Gordie Howe's sisters Helen Cummine, left, and Vi Watson listen to speakers as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains where interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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Bob Hope speaks during the pre-game ceremony at SaskTel Centre during Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Brian Trottier speaks during the pre-game ceremony at SaskTel Centre during Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon on September 25, 2016.

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Saskatoon Blades players leave the ice following their warm up where they wore Detroit Red Wing Gordie Howe jersey as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains where interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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Gerry Pinder, retired NHL player, speaks as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains where interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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Gordie Howe's sons Murray Howe, left to right, Marty Howe, Mark Howe, and daughter Cathy Howe stand for the national anthem following speeches as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains where interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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Morris Lukowich, a retired NHL player, speaks as part of Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day in Saskatoon at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Sunday, September 25, 2016. Howe's remains where interred at a statue of him outside of the arena earlier today.

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